Vettel smashes more records in Brazil

UNSTOPPABLE:Sebastian Vettel was overtaken by Nico Rosberg of Mercedes at the start, but he regained the lead on lap two and cruised to the 39th victory of his career

AP, SAO PAULO, Brazil

Lewis Hamilton, who had a flat right-rear tire on his Mercedes after contact with Valtteri Bottas of Williams, finished ninth. Hamilton received a drive-through penalty for causing the collision.

Mercedes were still able to hold on to second place in the constructors’ championship, finishing ahead of Ferrari and Lotus. Red Bull had already clinched the title.

Home favorite Felipe Massa, in his final race with Ferrari before joining Williams, finished a disappointing seventh after receiving a drive-through penalty for illegally crossing a pit line while running fourth.

It was the last race before significant engine changes debut next year. Teams have to switch from 2.4 liter V8 engines to a 1.6 liter V6 turbocharged unit, a move that demands significant alterations to the design of cars and makes predictions nearly impossible.